More than half of households in Birmingham could be at risk from industrial pollution.

Data from Landmark Information Group suggests 402,942 residential properties in the area could be at risk from industrial pollutants - 59 per cent of the total surveyed.

The company has produced a trumps card game on the back of its findings to highlight environmental hazards in towns and cities across the UK.

The number of households potentially affected by industrial pollutants in Birmingham trumps all of the other 35 town and city postal areas in the pack - which includes cities such as Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The cards also provide data on risks such as subsidence, flooding and the number of homes near to landfill sites.

James Sherwood-Rogers, managing director of the company's legal and finance division, said: "This demonstrates that environmental risks are more commonplace and have much more of a wider impact than people think.

"Environmental liabilities pose a real threat to new and existing homeowners and their families, as well as potentially affecting a proper-ty's value."

He said: "I don't know that it's very helpful to put out statistics like these.

"I see that the company behind the research says they're simply supposed to be indicative figures, rather than spot on accurate.

"While I'd urge everyone to make themselves aware of the risks, it seems to me that these figures may just cause unnecessary alarm to Birmingham householders."

Mr McCabe is currently locked in a battle with Birmingham City Council after vowing to help constituents with homes built on contaminated land in Graith Close, The Launde, Bach Mill Drive, Willson Croft and Priory Road in Billesley.

In 2004, experts discovered the soil in the area was contaminated with deadly substances including arsenic, lead, cadmium and nickel. Children were banned from playing outside because of fears of infertility and damage to internal organs.

Mr McCabe said: "What we know from the situation in Billesley is that the city council is absolutely struggling to deal with the liability issues involved in the few cases it's already identified.

"If the problem of contamination is anywhere near as widespread as this private company indicates, the council has a huge workload on its hands to address this serious risk to our health.

"They would want to start getting processes in place to deal with contamination much faster than the 22 months they've taken thus far to remove the contamination in Billesley."

A council spokesman said it had been working closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and its advisers to try and resolve the situation.

"However, this is a complicated legal process, and we have to follow the proper legal procedures," he said.

"In November 2004 there was a public meeting at which likely timescales were indicated to residents and these timescales have been subsequently adhered to.

"There is as yet no formal application for funds. But we are, and have been, talking to Defra and its agents."

The council also advised homebuyers requiring environmental reports to contact 0121 303 9900.